In Short:
The writer reflects on their childhood fascination with futuristic technology and how current AI tools fall short of sci-fi portrayals. Despite frustrations, they launched a second season of the AI Unlocked newsletter to help readers explore these tools realistically. With input from over 1,000 readers, the newsletter expands to 10 daily installments, covering productivity tips, AI dangers, and featuring a “Mail Bag” for questions.
Since watching the Disney Channel original movie Smart House in my childhood, I have been captivated by the futuristic depictions of technology embedded in our daily lives. Over the past two years at WIRED, while writing about artificial intelligence tools and offering guidance on their use, I have come to realize that the software often falls short of the high expectations set by both science fiction films and the exuberant marketing of various AI companies.
Despite this, I find that the current generation of generative AI tools can be both useful and entertaining, though they frequently introduce certain frustrations.
Introduction of Season Two of AI Unlocked
This acknowledgment has inspired me to develop a second season of our newsletter, AI Unlocked. This initiative has been a personal passion project over the past few months, involving discussions with industry experts, experimenting with various tools, and gathering feedback from readers on last year’s newsletter. The new season aims to facilitate even more exploration of AI tools while maintaining a realistic perspective on their capabilities.
Community Engagement
I would like to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who engaged with us regarding the use of AI. Through my inbox and responses to our survey, we received insights from over 1,000 individuals. We dedicated significant time to reviewing every question, tip, and piece of feedback received. This input was pivotal in shaping Season 2, enhancing my understanding of the diverse viewpoints held by WIRED readers. Notably, many readers have expressed interest in discovering how AI can assist with personal tasks, building confidence in prompt writing, and identifying innovative tools worth exploring.
Expanded Content in Season Two
For Season 2, we are committed to amplifying the experience by expanding the newsletter to include more content—10 daily installments as opposed to five. Each edition will address a specific topic pertaining to the use of AI tools. Topics will range from enhancing productivity with AI to the current risks associated with relying on AI for medical advice.
Additional Features
Some newsletters will introduce a “Prompt Pro Tip,” offering practical examples to bolster your skills. Other editions will delve deeper into the broader context of utilizing AI tools effectively. Furthermore, due to the abundant and engaging questions received, we are excited to incorporate a “Mail Bag” section at the end of the newsletter, where I will provide insights and perspectives on significant topics.
